Chapter thirty-one: Arrival

Rick, is that you? Rick's mom asked when she noticed the door was open.

Mom, are you here? Rick asked without giving her a response. Although she taught he would have died he survived and was glad to see his mom after a long time.

Rick is back, she shouted as she rushed towards him to hug him. 

I never believed you could come out of that place alive, after seeing your friends without you, we thought you were already dead, said his mom as she burst into tears.

Enough with the tears. What matters the most is that I am back, Rick told her.

If she kept on crying, he might get an emotional breakdown for the rest of his life.

Suddenly, Rick heard his dad's voice as he approached him. Although his dad was not showing any emotions, he knew his dad was very happy.

Rick, we never thought we would meet you again, his dad told him before dragging him with him.

While you were away, I got you some things to ensure your safety. With this, I am sure even a fighter at level 50 won't be able to harm you.

On hearing his words, my brain went numb. An artifact that could protect a person from the attack of a level 50 expert would cost a lot of gold coins.

Can I use this thing indefinitely? Rick asked. If he could use it indefinitely then almost everyone in his year would freak out even students from higher classes would freak out.

You cannot but, you can use it for about thirty minutes before recharging it with your energy, he replied.

He didn't want Rick to be too dependent on weapons so he had to get him the one with a lower quality.

I also got you about twenty high-level healing pills. So even if you are about to die, you can still save your life and recover all of your energy by taking one of it.

Thanks, dad, Rick told him after collecting the items. It would take him about seven years of his life if he wanted to buy any of those items.

You're welcome. Anyway, why don't you go upstairs and get some rest, he told Rick.

He didn't want to stress Rick so much so, he decided to send him to his room to get some rest.

Sure, he replied before packing the items to his room. 

After getting to his room, he decided to put on the artifacts that were given to him.

Hmm, I wonder if this ring can activate the barrier that can block attacks from a level 50 monster, Rick wondered aloud before putting the ring on.

I better give this a try, he said as he activated the barrier. 

Suddenly, a light blue light formed a circular shield around him.

I guess this will do, he murmured as he deactivated the shield. 

I guess I should share these pills with Tom and May before adding I better put this away, for now, he mumbled before going to bed. If he gave them, the efficiency of his team would increase tremendously.

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Father, we couldn't get the katana back from him, said Paula. 

What, he shouted angrily.

If they couldn't get that katana back from Rick before he uncovered the secret of the katana, they would be in big trouble.

How about you Manfred? The man asked the other man standing next to Paula.

I failed to retrieve the katana because of Paula. If she hadn't interfered and told me not to deal with him, I would have easily gotten the katana, he replied.

He had been waiting for this day, a day when he will finally earn the trust of his master. So to him, this was a dream come true.

The both of you are useless, he snorted.

From now on both of you will not be provided with any artifact to help you and your daily funds will be slashed, he told them.

But father, Paula tried to protest. If she lost her funds and the support of her father, she knew her progress rate would become extremely slow.

Enough, he roared before continuing. Rick Hunter, it's time I send a worthy opponent to deal with you, he smiled before bursting into laughter.

He wanted to see how long Rick could run away with the weapon that would finally be his.

...